Boy Names That Mean Precious

Every child is precious beyond measure, and a wealth of names captures that worth — through words for “precious,” “treasured” and “rare,” and through the names of gems and treasures themselves. Naming a child for something precious is a way of saying they are cherished above all, and cultures worldwide have done exactly that. Some mean precious or treasured directly, like the Sanskrit Ratna (“jewel”), the Chinese Bao and the names built on the idea of a beloved treasure. Others name the jewels we prize — the English Pearl, the Arabic Almas (“diamond”), and gems like Ruby, Jade, Beryl and Gemma (“gem”). A few, like Margaret (“pearl”), hide the meaning inside a classic name. Precious names range from the vintage (Pearl, Gemma) to the rare and international (Ratna, Almas), and suit a child you hold as your greatest treasure. Here are real baby names that mean precious or treasured, each with its genuine meaning and origin.